Biobased is on the rise, but there is still a world to win

“Biobased building materials are becoming increasingly popular,” observe Sissy Verspeek and Fred van der Burgh of Agrodome. "This is partly due to legislation and regulations. And training courses are paying more attention to biobased. As a result, their use is becoming more normal."

Text: Sara Terburg 

In the field of biobased materials, the NMD collaborates with organizations that encourage designing and building with them. Agrodome Foundation is one of the cooperation partners. This knowledge and innovation center is committed to using more natural, recyclable raw materials in construction. Sissy and Fred are board members of this foundation and are recognized LCA reviewers and LCA preparers. In 2018, they additionally founded Agrodome Advice & Development. With this consultancy and project office, they carry out biobased and circular projects, constructiona based. They make biobased solutions visible to the construction chain, on a national and European level and in cooperation with SMEs, education, research and government. Creating and reviewing LCA studies is now also part of Agrodome Advice & Development.

Also in the hardware store

The consultants note that biobased is on the rise, but that there is still a world to win. Fred: “Recent laws put greater emphasis on climate change; CO2 emissions must be reduced. That stimulates the market to develop more biobased materials. And more and more large parties are taking over small biobased producers so they can add biobased products to their product range. That is a very recent development. They do this to comply with European laws and regulations that require that the CO2 footprint be reduced. Biobased is a nice route for that.”

Circular construction replaces sustainable construction 

Another development driving the use of biobased is the shift from sustainable building to circular building. Sissy: “If you build circularly, then biobased materials are an important factor in that. It has become normal to talk about them. With sustainable building it was not yet so.” Fred: “The National Approach to Biobased Construction is also boosting interest in biobased. And the NMD is doing the same with the White Spots Reimbursement Scheme.” Consequently, the use of biobased materials in new construction and renovation projects is on the rise. And consumers are more positive about these types of materials. Fred: “DIY stores are including biobased products in their assortment more often, and we welcome that, because many people think that what is sold there is reliable.”

Look at application: synthetic compound not always necessary

Sissy argues that architects and builders can look more critically at which material is needed for which job. And especially at how strong a particular material needs to be in a particular application. “Take masonry mortar. This is made stronger and stronger by synthetic means. As a result, bricks cannot be reused because you cannot loosen them. You also see this with adhesives. Of course, when used in the construction of a building, you have to use the very strongest adhesive. But for a composite interior door, a biobased adhesive is sufficiently strong.” And biobased materials often have a better MPG score as well.  

Small producers unite

The NMD's database contains a large number of biobased profiles for both the B&U and GWW sectors. With this, the NMD makes these products visible. This is difficult for small products because they have to compete against large companies and strong lobbies. Sissy: “The lobbies for concrete and cement are large and influential. That's why we advise parties working with biobased to join forces as well so they have a bigger voice.”

Transparant about percentage biobased materials

Wood and plant materials are the largest biobased product groups. Followed at a distance by animal materials and fungi (mycelium). Clay and loam are natural products, but are not part of living nature (they do not grow on like flax, hemp and straw). Agrodome therefore does not classify them as biobased materials. Most building materials are composed of several substances, just think of sheet materials that incorporate wood fibers but also glue, or composites that consist of natural fibers and synthetic resin. The highest possible proportion of biobased materials is obviously best for our environment. The Netherlands has no guideline that prescribes when a composite building product may be called biobased. Sissy: “We advise to be transparent about what is in it. Show the percentage. The buyer decides whether he considers this sufficient. So put on the label how much percent biobased, how much percent circular and how much percent fossil materials are in it.”

Great for insulation in renovation 

Modular construction is on the rise. Fred: “And timber frame construction is very suitable for that. Especially if you combine it with bio-based insulation. And you can use it excellently to top up apartment buildings. And no, they don't have to be noisy, as many people still think.” Sissy: “Indeed, with the right detailing, i.e. the connection to window frames and doors, you can prevent noise. And building in wood doesn't have to be more expensive than building with concrete either. You just have to choose wood in the design phase.” And then biobased also communicates better with wood. Sissy: “The construction of renovation projects is often largely made of wood. These lend themselves perfectly to insulation with biobased materials, because they handle moisture more easily. Wood and biobased insulation understand each other well. If you use plaster or foam, moisture problems can occur in the long run due to accumulation of mold.” Fred: “And then another advantage: biobased insulation keeps summer heat out better.” Together with Sissy and Agrodome, he will continue to work to increase awareness and use of biobased materials in the coming years.